. >>> the fiscal cliff countdown clock keeps on ticking tonight with no deal in place. just 25 days remain until the country could be pushed over the edge. today in northern virginia president obama visited a middle class falls church family. he says people like the centanas could be hit hardest if congress doesn't extend middle class tax cuts. >> for them to be burdened unnecessarily because democrats and republicans aren't coming together to solve this problem gives you a sense of the costs involved in very personal terms. >> the president proposed a plan that members of his own party won't even vote for. >> now the president does want tax rates to go up on the wealthiest americans. republicans are standing behind their counteroffer to close tax loopholes and limit some deductions instead. they say the president needs to deliver a new plan that congress can pass. >>> let's take live look right now. this is the ellipse where we are just moment as way from the lighting of the national -- moments away from the lighting of the national christmas tree. erica grow has been